Flaming Nora !!

Due to our Caspian sea episode, we had to get cracking from Ashgabat to Uzbekistan, but first a detour to camp near the flaming craters of Darvasa. The route was a fairly short day, but very very hot across the central part of the Karakum desert - a constant 45degC all day;





We crossed the Karakum Canal - a 1100km long, man-made canal - taking water from the Aral sea;


Petrol stations were few and far between;



Eventually we reached the first of 3 craters - this one filled with boiling water;



Around 7pm we turned off for the gas craters, and set camp for the night;


After lobbing up the tent in double quick time, Caroline and I set off for the gas craters;



The gas crater was created in the mid 50's by the Soviets when drilling for gas - some sort of accident occurred, and the crater has been burning since;